"I hate talking about myself," said Cox, who will start his senior season Saturday when Blue Ridge faces Moapa Valley of Nevada in the first game of the Barry Sollenberger Kickoff Classic doubleheader at University of Phoenix Stadium. "When reporters ask me questions about myself, it's really hard for me. It's something I've had to get used to."

That's what happens when you're 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, you run the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds, Rivals.com lists you as the No. 1 recruit in the state and No. 58 nationally, you bypass traditional powers like Nebraska, USC and Oregon to sign with the hometown team -- in this case, Arizona State -- and your stated goal is to start as a freshman at ASU.

All Cox did last year, in Blue Ridge's championship 14-0 season, was rush for 682 yards and 13 touchdowns, catch 10 passes for 142 yards and three scores, make 61 tackles and, oh yeah, average 41.3 yards per punt.

Those numbers would be inflated, by the way, had Moro kept his starters in the game during blowouts. Blue Ridge won nine games by at least 30 points, and the starters often were out the entire fourth quarter, if not all the second half.

"He's big enough and strong enough he can put his hand in the dirt and go against a 280-pound tight end, but he also can play linebacker and run or he can go out and cover a wideout who runs a 4.5 (40-yard dash)," Moro said. "He can do everything.

"When guys are as big as he is and as fast as he is, that's not normal."

Normally, big-time prospects in small towns are the stuff of legend. That's not the case with Cox, though. People around town know who he is, of course -- "He's that really good football player," says a woman coming out of Safeway -- but the folk hero stuff is non-existent.

There are a couple of reasons for that. First, The Blue Ridge program has been so successful -- Moro has won 12 state titles -- that greatness has become ho-hum, both in terms of the players and the team.

Second, Cox doesn't want the adulation. He'd much rather talk about his teammates, the coaches, even the buck he bagged on a hunting trip. It's not an act, either, a show of false modesty for a visiting reporter.

He is his parents' son, having adopted the kind nature and work ethic from his dad, Jay, and the "take-no-crap" attitude from his mom, Shea.

"He's not going to be running around (pulling on his jersey) or doing stuff like that," Moro said. "And he's going to get ticked off at anybody that tries to draw attention to themselves. He's a great teammate. He's not a kid you have to worry about, whether it's partying or substance abuse or anything like that."

That doesn't mean Cox is without personal ambition. He's graduating early so he can enroll at ASU in January and participate in spring ball, giving him a better opportunity to start. And he's already contemplating an NFL career.

"It's crazy to think about it, but the coaches at ASU have even mentioned that if I keep my abilities up and listen to what they have to say and work really hard, it's an opportunity," Cox said. "It's something I've always dreamed off."

For now, though, there's a senior season to play and a chance to win back-to-back state titles.

It's a wistful time for Cox. He grew up in the White Mountains and all he ever wanted to do was play football for Blue Ridge. A few more months and it will all be over.

"I was looking forward so much to dressing out on varsity my freshman year and now it's senior year," Cox said. "It's surreal."

When the season ends, Cox will buy his helmet and jersey as mementos. He'll trade in Blue Ridge's purple and gold for ASU maroon and gold and get on with his life.

Blue Ridge will move on, too. Moro won state titles before Cox suited up, and he'll probably win state titles long after Cox is gone. But it's unlikely he'll ever have another player like Cox.

"He's special," Moro said. "He's just special."

Reach Bordow at scott.bordow@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-7996. Follow him on Twitter at Twitter.com/sBordow.

Lakeside Blue Ridge star Chans Cox was a key cog in the team's state title run in 2011. The all-around player rushed for 682 yards and 13 touchdowns, caught 10 passes for 142 yards and three scores, made 61 tackles and averaged 41.3 yards per punt.